How a Surprising LA Mall Rose to Dining Fame

A New Era for Westfield Century City

Westfield Century City, a sprawling mall in West Los Angeles, has long struggled to match the social cache of other local landmarks like The Grove. Spanning over 1.3 million square feet and featuring anchors such as Bloomingdale's, an AMC theater, and a Gelson's grocery store, the mall has seen multiple ownership changes since its opening in 1964. It underwent a major renovation in recent years under Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, which acquired the property in 2002. Despite these efforts, it has yet to achieve true cultural relevance or a dedicated meme account. However, the mall recently found itself in the spotlight when Ryan Gosling famously tossed one of Steve Carell's sneakers from the second level in the 2011 film "Crazy, Stupid, Love."

A Culinary Renaissance

In recent years, the mall has experienced a surge in culinary interest, transforming it into a dining destination. Restaurants like Din Tai Fung, known for its xiao long bao, have become popular spots, often drawing long lines outside. The mall's Eataly, the only one in Los Angeles, has also been a hit with customers since its 2017 debut. Over the past year, several high-profile restaurant openings have further elevated the mall's status.

Expanding the Dining Scene

Colin Shaughnessy, executive vice president of leasing for Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, noted that a significant investment in 2017 helped put the mall on the dining map. This led to the opening of Eataly, Din Tai Fung, and Javier's, an upscale Mexican steakhouse. Recently, additional space became available, allowing for more market-defining dining options.

On October 19, David Chang's Momofuku food group opened Super Peach at the mall's first level. This is Chang's first new restaurant since Bāng Bar in Las Vegas in 2021. Super Peach serves Korean-inspired fare with a California twist, including dishes like fried wings, Matsuhisa-style fried shrimp, mushroom lo mein, and wagyu kimbap. The modern space features a kinetic split-flap display board that spells out phrases like "kiss the chef," offering a fresh take on mall dining.

Expanding the Culinary Landscape

Momofuku CEO Marguerite Mariscal expressed excitement about joining the mall's unique lineup of culinary offerings. She noted that the mall is not just a retail hotspot but also a place where the team enjoys eating. Other notable restaurants include Haidilao and Din Tai Fung.

SBE Entertainment Group also expanded its presence at the mall with the July openings of Casa Dani, a partnership with Spanish chef Dani García, and an outpost of Katsuya, a popular Japanese restaurant. Casa Dani offers elegant Spanish cuisine in a sleek setting, featuring dishes like Iberico ham croquetas and tuna porterhouse carpaccio.

Sam Nazarian, chairman of SBE Entertainment Group, emphasized that Westfield Century City represents the evolution of luxury hospitality within a retail environment. He highlighted how the mall aligns with Casa Dani's DNA, blending Michelin-starred cuisine with a contemporary, California lens.

Global Brands and Celebrity Involvement

Westfield Century City has long attracted international brands. Chagee Tea House, a popular Chinese tea chain, made its U.S. debut at the mall this spring. Other global names include Ramen Nagi from Tokyo, Sichuan specialist Meizhou Dongpo from China, Korean donut concept Cafe Knotted, and an outpost of British sandwich chain Pret a Manger.

Hollywood celebrities have also joined the mall's culinary scene. Actor Anthony Anderson and comedian Cedric the Entertainer opened AC Barbeque on the mall's second level in May. This fast-casual restaurant offers St. Louis-style ribs, smoked chicken, and pulled-pork sandwiches, along with sides like "backyard BBQ" beans.

Diverse Dining Options

These new restaurants join existing LA favorites such as Tocaya Organica, Panini Kabob Grill, and Zinqué. National chains like Panda Express and Shake Shack are also well-represented. Shoppers can find specialty stores among the mall's more than 60 food and drink offerings, including cheese tart specialist Bake and a brand-new outpost of Venchi Chocogelateria.

Evolving Malls

As malls move away from traditional food courts, many are turning to restaurants as anchor tenants. Examples include Orange County's South Coast Plaza and the Commons at Calabasas. With the rise of online shopping and changing consumer habits, malls must reinvent themselves to avoid becoming "zombie" malls.

According to Shaughnessy, more exciting eateries are on the horizon. Taiwanese restaurant powerhouse Tai Tong Food & Beverage Group will open its first U.S. restaurant, an outpost of Thai Town Cuisine, later this year. Nationally acclaimed Persian restaurant Rumi's Kitchen is set to open in early 2026.

Future Prospects

While there is currently an empty bi-level outpost of steakhouse chain Del Frisco's, the equally expansive Javier's, a popular Mexican chain, is just a short walk away. Westfield Century City, located at 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.